I am looking to start assembling a Mesa Boogie half stack and am wondering what kind of amp head to be looking for. I know the 400+ looks nice, but it looks designed for a bigger rig than I want, even though I want the headroom. I am just kind of wondering about my options, and I am probably in intending to buy used.
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Mesa Boogie Heads
- Thread starter Jeralya
- Start date
Sounds like a plan to me. If you think all you'll ever need is a half stack, then you probably wont need their highest powered heads.
Oh and for what its worth, I play a Fender '71 P as my primary, with other passive basses I use for specific stuff. You list as having a 400+, how is its DO?
Whats wrong with headroom unless you are wanting to push the amp all the time?
There will come a day when you need that extra headroom
However, look at a Mesa D-180
There will come a day when you need that extra headroom
However, look at a Mesa D-180
If your playing rock, and run across a Mesa D-180, check it out.
You can do a search on this forum for lots of info on this amp.
You can do a search on this forum for lots of info on this amp.
No one can tell you that you've made a poor choice to go with Mesa. I've tried out quite a few brands, and Mesa was head and shoulders above everything else in terms of build quality, features, tone and power.
Myself, I have a Basis M-2000 head into a Powerhouse 4x10 and a Powerhouse 1x15, and all the venues I've played so far, I could have played without PA support (didn't do that, though, because it's a pain in the ass for the soundman
).
If you're a knob tweaker and want a killer hybrid head with separate, blendable tube and FET channels, then this head is for you. I could not find a head out there that had the features this thing has. I was considering the Ampeg SVT-4 PRO, but decided against it due to the myriad of reviews I read complaining about its reliability. Though it is rated at 1200 Watts, I'd say that that's wishful thinking on the part of Ampeg.
I was also looking at the Genz Benz GBE1200, but after playing through the GBE600, I decided I wanted a more "tubey" sound, and the Mesa gave me exactly that, but with the potential to blend some serious low-end and punch from the FET channel. Couple that with 625 very conservative Watts, a footswitch that's worth $240 USD by itself and can select a separate high-gain channel for the tube side, and you've got a winning combination. I bought it from Tom Bowlus and have never looked back.
Flea used to played a Buster Bass 200, and before that I think he may have used the D-180, and his tone was absolutely amazing while he used Mesa (it also has to do with the fact that he was using MusicMans and Wal basses at the time; his Modulus days aren't yielding the tone I characterize Flea with, but that's just me.)
That's my $0.02. Hope it helps!
Myself, I have a Basis M-2000 head into a Powerhouse 4x10 and a Powerhouse 1x15, and all the venues I've played so far, I could have played without PA support (didn't do that, though, because it's a pain in the ass for the soundman
).If you're a knob tweaker and want a killer hybrid head with separate, blendable tube and FET channels, then this head is for you. I could not find a head out there that had the features this thing has. I was considering the Ampeg SVT-4 PRO, but decided against it due to the myriad of reviews I read complaining about its reliability. Though it is rated at 1200 Watts, I'd say that that's wishful thinking on the part of Ampeg.
I was also looking at the Genz Benz GBE1200, but after playing through the GBE600, I decided I wanted a more "tubey" sound, and the Mesa gave me exactly that, but with the potential to blend some serious low-end and punch from the FET channel. Couple that with 625 very conservative Watts, a footswitch that's worth $240 USD by itself and can select a separate high-gain channel for the tube side, and you've got a winning combination. I bought it from Tom Bowlus and have never looked back.
Flea used to played a Buster Bass 200, and before that I think he may have used the D-180, and his tone was absolutely amazing while he used Mesa (it also has to do with the fact that he was using MusicMans and Wal basses at the time; his Modulus days aren't yielding the tone I characterize Flea with, but that's just me.)
That's my $0.02. Hope it helps!
The 400+ is a quite awesome amp. There is no problem with having extra headroom. Of course, if you are looking used the 180 may be a better choice if you do not need the extra headroom and want to save a bit. The M190 and Strategy power amps are also good if you want a different preamp, but more rare used than the 400, 400+, and D180. What cabs are you looking at? Also, do a search. Tons of info.
I think I mistyped, I want the extra headroom for sure, I just want to make sure I will be able to get enough power at 8 ohms. I am looking at a 4x10 powerhouse cab and am really favoring the 400 all tube tone. What kind of prices can I get on the other amps? Like I mentioned, does the 400 have a nice direct out?
The DI is a tad noisy. When recording, I ususally use a mix of the DI and a miced speaker. I would not hesitate using the DI live though.FireBug said:
Jeralya said:
Tube amps put out full power at all (recommended) ohm loads. (except mine...
)One cool feature of the 400+ is, it will run at 2-4 or 8 ohms. (D-180, is only 4 or 8 ohm)
That powerhouse cab should be a good match. Try it out with whatever amp you get.
The 400+ seem to be selling (used) for $600-$1000 depending on condition, tube age and the rack case (or not).
Mesa also made a model 400 (non-plus). This is also a very cool amp. They seem to sell for $100-200 less than a 400+.
The Mesa D-180s seem to sell for $200-$400 less than the 400+. I bought mine for $400 (w/rack and fresh tubes), on craiglist.
The DI/slave out on these amps, Is tapped into the same signal thats going to your speakers. (post-power tubes)
If you adjust the 400+ to a clean setting, the DI signal will be fairly clean and noise free.
If you adjust this amp like I do (loud saturated tube tone), the DI can quickly become a sound mans nightmare. (to hot, noisy and buzzy sounding). I use a Sansamp BDDI for my DI.
BurningSkies
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- Feb 20, 2005
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My Main amp is a 400+.
The one disappointment I have with it is the DI. Both the XLR and the Slave are terrible. The XLR runs hot and very dirty and the slave just runs dirty. Its pretty much unuseable. I found that in either a live setting or when recording, it adds a bit of nasty distortion to your sound. I've been looking around for a good DI to use instead of the amp's outs, but haven't really found what I'm looking for. Its too bad too, because I prefer to get my signal out after the tubes to keep my tone correct.
The one disappointment I have with it is the DI. Both the XLR and the Slave are terrible. The XLR runs hot and very dirty and the slave just runs dirty. Its pretty much unuseable. I found that in either a live setting or when recording, it adds a bit of nasty distortion to your sound. I've been looking around for a good DI to use instead of the amp's outs, but haven't really found what I'm looking for. Its too bad too, because I prefer to get my signal out after the tubes to keep my tone correct.
